From Passion to Practice: Why Forest Therapy Feels Like Home to Myself

For as long as I can remember, the forest has been my favourite place to be. As a child, summer meant endless camping trips, where I’d fall asleep to the sound of the fire crackling or the gentle sound of the wind in the trees and I’d wake up, smell the fresh air and see all of the trees surrounding me and feel completely at ease. For someone who had experienced anxiety throughout my entire childhood, this was a big deal. The forest was where I felt most at home—where I felt free, grounded, safe, and completely myself. That deep love for nature has never left me, and as an adult, I’ve continued to seek out the stillness, peace, and the quiet acceptance that only the forest can offer. Hiking into the depths of the trees, away from the noise of the world, has always been one of my favourite ways to reconnect with myself.

I have long dreamed of living somewhere surrounded by evergreens, where I could look out my window and instantly feel nature’s embrace. That dream has now become my reality, which I am beyond grateful for every single day. Living in Bragg Creek, immersed in the magic of the forest, has been life-changing, and becoming certified as a forest therapy practitioner has deepened my connection to nature in ways I never imagined. It feels like magic—something I have always known intuitively to be true is now supported by scientific research proving just how beneficial time in nature is for our bodies and minds.

Forest therapy is not simply a walk in the woods. It is an intentional practice of slowing down, tuning in, and engaging in a sacred dialogue with nature. It invites us to be fully present, to listen to the wisdom of the land, and to allow the natural world to guide us inward. It is both spiritual and scientific, blending ancient wisdom with modern research that highlights how nature immersion supports nervous system regulation, reduces stress, and enhances overall well-being.

This journey has transformed not just my personal life but also my work as a therapist. Forest therapy has added so much depth to my practice, and I know it will continue to evolve as I do. I now see ways to integrate it into everything I do, whether through individual sessions, group experiences, or weaving nature-based practices into psychotherapy. The forest offers something profound—a space to release, to find clarity, to reconnect with intuition, and to heal in a way that feels organic and whole.

If you’re longing for a deeper connection to yourself and the world around you, I invite you to experience the transformative power of forest therapy. Whether in a private session or as part of a group, it is an opportunity to slow down, breathe deeply, and come home to yourself in the embrace of nature.